Page 124 of She Wolf

“The first morning I woke up next to you.”

“Oh, Gunner,” I swoon.

“And then fucked you till you were boneless.”

“Gunner!” I gasp but he just bursts out laughing, picking me up and spinning me around.

“Thank you for making me the happiest man in the world.”

“I bet I can make you happier…”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

The doorbell goes and we both look at each other. Anyone we were expecting would have the code and anyone who doesn’t wouldn’t be able to get through the gate. My heart rate kicks up a notch.

We head to the front door and once there Gunner gives me a look that says to stay exactly where I am. I do as he asks.

“Surprise!” Alison and June shout as he opens the door, each holding a bouquet of blue and silver balloons and a small overnight bag.

“Mom, June. What are you doing here? How did you get here?”

“We wanted to surprise you and be here for Jack’s birthday. I hope that’s okay?”

“Okay? Of course, it is,” Gunner tells them as they both hug him simultaneously. The balloons bouncing off his head.

“Mrs. Grey, Mrs. Johnson, you’re here!” Jack jumps down off the last few steps on the staircase and runs at them both. I cringe thinking of June’s knee, but they are just as happy to see him.

Without letting them put their bags down he ushers them in to look at his present display. They roll their small cases behind them, chattering on.

“Can you believe they did this?” I say in awe of them taking the trip to be with Jack on his birthday.

“They’re bananas about him. I’m pretty sure they’re going to come up with nicknames for him to call them. My mom won’t accept being called Mrs. Grey by him for much longer.”

My hand finds my heart. “Really?”

“Definitely,” he says and then goes off after them. “Mom, you should have called, I would have come and collected you from the airport.”

“Don’t be silly, we knew this is exactly what you were supposed to be doing, spending time with Jack this morning,” she coos and cups his face. “Exactly where you were meant to be.”

Have any words ever been truer?I wonder as Gunner introduces them both to Kate.

After more presents and being offered a doughnut and coffee, Jack seeks me out.

“Mom. What time are Gramma and Gramps getting here? What about Scott and Jason, and Theo and Lex and Troy? What about—”

“Take a breath Jack. They are going to go straight to Casey’s, this is a marathon, not a sprint. You want to soak it all up, right? Enjoy every moment. We’re going to hang out here for a while. Then when it’s time, the six of us will make our way over to Casey’s, where the family will be waiting and then your friends are going to arrive after that. Everyone is staying over and we’re going to have a giant family brunch tomorrow.”

“Okay, that sounds good. Like a separate birthday brunch? I get two birthdays!”

“Exactly that Jack.”

He jumps up and down on the spot. “But can I just call Gramma? Just real quick?” If I’m honest I’m surprised she wasn’t on the phone at six am, so I relent.

“Yes, okay call her, I’m going to get ready. You do the same once you’re done. Put on the swim trunks you chose and a tee that matches.” I hand him the phone, and he thumbs straight into favorites and calls my mom.

He nods in my direction, but he’s not even listening. I head upstairs to jump in the shower.

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